We recently visited Chicago and participated in a tour of the Smart Home at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. The home is built using primarily recycled materials (including furniture). Unfortunately, the tour guide did not allow us to take any photos inside the home. There was a windmill that was connected to the home (as well as solar panels on the roof). There were cool features that include bamboo flooring, LED lighting, remote/cellphone controlled temperature and refrigerator systems. The kitchen contained cabinets salvaged from a chemistry laboratory from a local university. The kitchen countertop is made of paper, cement and glass. There is a touchpad tablet on display near the kitchen counter that serves as a family planner. They also had a cool LCD display/TV that showed the amount of energy used by each major household appliance. The garage roof contained native plants which helped serve as a natural low maintenance insulator. There are two bedrooms (a small master bedroom and a boy's bedroom). The master bedroom contained a bathroom with recycled brick/cement flooring (I don't know whether these floors would be sufficiently waterproof or are just for concept only). The bathroom also had a cool touchscreen tablet/mirror that allows one to surf the internet while brushing their teeth (I don't understand why you would want to use the same unit as opposed to having a touch tablet next to the mirror; maybe someone thinks it's cool having images overlay on top of their reflection). There was a walkout balcony where the garden contained small vegetable plants (such as red peppers and tomatoes). The curtains where electronically controlled on the main living room floor. There was an entire wall of windows that fold out (like an accordion) to increase the outdoor to indoor living space.

The museum charged an extra $8 per adult and $2 per child for the Smart Home tour. It is not really worth the admission/tour fee given that the tour itself lasted less than 15 minutes. Most of the features found in the home can be enjoyed already in the commercial market (e.g. bamboo flooring, recycled furniture, electronic controlled security/major appliance system).

Hopefully, in the near future, new home constructions will not only feature Energy Star rating but also include some of the eco-friendly features in this Smart Home.

I have been running 2-3 miles per day about 3 days a week and have included a long run (about 5-6 miles) in the weekends. I've been tracking my time and miles using a log (notebook) and find it very visually motivating. After my first mile, I usually feel much better because my body has adequately warmed up. I am really looking forward to my half marathon. I hope to continue to run races and get better. I need to start extending my long runs by a mile each week. I just wished I had started running earlier in life. After the intial three months, I enjoy running more than any other exercise so far.